Instant grip or handle for a ski pole



Nov. 18, 1969 E. A. MILLER 3,479,045

INSTANT GRIP OR HANDLE FOR A SKI POLE Filed QQt. 20, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 5.4 ,4. M/LLae.

Nov. 18, 1969 A. I ER 3,479,045

INSTANT GRIP OR HANDLE FOR A SKI POLE Filed Oct. 20, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVENTOR Emez ,4. M/ue'le.

United States Patent 3,479,045 INSTANT GRIP OR HANDLE FOR A SKI POLE Earl A. Miller, Orem, Utah 84057 Filed Oct. 20, 1967, Ser. No. 676,792 Int. Cl. A63c 11/22; A47j 45/00 US. Cl. 28011.37 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a handle or grip for a ski pole and more particularly to a handle or grip of an automatic release type for eliminating the employment of a strap for encircling the skiers wrist.

There is an urgent need for eliminating the wrist strap from the handle of a ski pole. Deaths have occurred when the strap and the ski pole have become entwined in rope tows and moreover, numerous broken limbs and other serious injuries have arisen when a skier passes a tree and the ski pole ring engages a branch of the tree and jerks the skier in a backward direction. Moreover, a skier is constantly placing his hands through the straps and removing the straps when the slope has been negotiated to enable the skier to again ride a ski lift. Consequently, a skier loses considerable time and it is inconvenient to continuously place the hands through the straps on the ski pole handle and remove the straps for riding a lift or enter a ski lodge or other building.

It is known in the art to provide a grip for a ski pole for the type employing a strap and which grip can become disengaged from the pole. This particular type of grip is not satisfactory, since in deep snow the grip can be released from the pole which could result in loss of the pole and additionally, it is necessary for the skier to re-assemble the pole. This latter aspect is somewhat difiicult and cumbersome to accomplish for an average skier.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a handle or grip for a ski pole which eliminates the strap and which affords a firm grip and solid support of the ski pole by the skier and improves the safety factor without the necessity of disengaging the grip or handle from the shaft.

It is a further object of the present invention to enable the skier to instantly release the ski pole when the pole or the ring becomes wedged or otherwise fouled with another object.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a grip or handle for the ski pole which will not impose undue pressure on any part of the hand which has a tendency to cause the hand to become cold.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grip or handle which is interchangeable with conventional type grips for ski poles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a grip or handle for the ski pole which has a streamlined appearance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a left and right hand ski pole having handles or grips so designed as to fit the precise contour of each hand.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to persons skilled in the art from the ensuing detailed specification and annexed drawings, and in which drawings:

3,479,045 Patented Nov. 18, 1969 FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the left side of the handle or grip for a ski pole and more particularly a handle or grip for the right hand,

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the handle or grip shown in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 illustrating the right side of the handle or grip,

FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view of the handle or grip illustrated in FIGURES 1-3 as seen from the rear,

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of the left side of a modified embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the handle or grip illustrated in FIGURE 5,

FIGURE 7 is an elevational view of the left side of a further embodiment of the invention, and

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the handle or grip illustrated in FIGURE 7.

Referring to FIGURES 1-4, the invention is directed to a handle or grip denoted generally 10, adapted to be attached to a ski pole shaft 11 of any suitable or convenient type. The handle or grip 10 comprises a body 12 of a resilient material, such as rubber or various thermoplastic materials possessing rubber-like characteristics and the body is shaped to conform to the hand.

Integrally formed with and extending from the bod 12 in proximity to the upper end thereof is an extension 13 and as perhaps more clearly illustrated in FIGURE 2, the extension 13 is elongated and extends a substantial distance from the body at such a position that the extension will lie over the top of the hand between the thumb and the index finger. Additionally, the bottom of the body 12 is provided with an extension 14 which extends outwardly for adequately supporting the bottom of the hand from the heel and including the little finger on the outside of the pole axis. The extension 14 is of a saucer-like configuration in order to conform to the natural curvature of the bottom of the hand.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that the extensions or projections 13 and 14 are so axially spaced on the body and are both so arranged and constructed as to conform to the curvature of the top and the bottom of the right hand thereby fully and firmly supporting this hand. The left hand grip or handle will, of course, have these extensions or projections oppositely arranged. The coaction between the extensions 13 and 14 is such that the skier has a firm grip and it is'unnecessary to employ a strap to prevent the loss of the ski pole. In the event the shaft of the ski should become lodged, the extension 13, which, of course, is resilient can bend or deflect upwardly in order that the ski pole can be automatically released.

In order to attach the shaft 11, it will be noted that the body 12 is provided with a bore 15 which extends from the lower end of the body to a point in proximity to the upper end and the shaft is held in the bore by a friction fit. Further, as is clear from FIGURE 2, the extension or projection 13 is at an oblique angle to the axis of the bore 15.

It is to be further understood that if desired, the body 12 may be provided with indentations (not shown) for receiving the fingers of the hand.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URES 5 and 6, it will be noted that handle body 20 is provided with an extension 21 integral therewith and which extension is directed outwardly and rearwardly from the side of the body 20 as perhaps more clearly shown in FIGURE 6. The extension 21 is contoured to fit over the hand between the thumb and forefinger. The lower end of the body 20 is also provided with an extension 22 which is so shaped as to support the bottom of the hand and here again, the extensions 21 and 22 cooperate to provide a safe grip for the skier and at the same time, due to the resilient nature of the extension 21, such extension can be deflected away from the hand in order to permit the instantaneous release of the ski pole.

FIGURES 7 and 8 discloses yet a further embodiment of the invention in which body 30 which, as was the case Of the previously described grips, is of a suitable resilient material and the body is provided with an upper extension 31 and a lower extension 32 each of substantial extent. The extension 32 is directed away from or on the front side of the grip for fitting between the two middle fingers of the hand, while the extension 31 is on the inside of the grip and extends to fit under the thumb. Both of these extensions are of such resiliency as to enable the grip to permit instant release if the ski pole or ring becomes lodged.

I claim:

1. A strapless ski pole grip comprising a body member having a length in excess of the width of a users hand and an axial bore for fitting over a ski pole, one resilient projection extending outwardly thereof and of such length as to overlie a suflicient extent of at least one component part of a users hand to provide an adequate grip and said extension having such resiliency characteristics as to deflect upwardly for automatic release if a ski pole to which such hand grip is attached becomes lodged or jammed during use.

2. A strapless ski pole grip as claimed in claim 1 in which said projection extends outwardly from adjacent the top of the body at an oblique angle to the axis of the 'bore so as to overlie the top of the users hand between the thumb and forefinger.

3. A strapless ski pole grip as claimed in claim 2 in which at least the underside of said projection is downwardly curved so as to conform to the natural curvature of the hand.

4. A strapless ski pole grip as claimed in claim 2 and a second projection extending outwardly from adjacent the bottom of the body a substantial distance and extending around the body a substantial distance so as to underlie the heel and that portion of the little finger of the users hand at the outerside and front of the grip.

5. A strapless ski pole grip as claimed in claim 4 in which the upper surface of said second projection is dished so as to conform to the natural curvature of the component parts of the users hand engaged thereby.

6. A strapless ski pole grip as claimed in claim 1 and further including a second projection of substantial length extending outwardly of said body at a position axially spaced from and at a different angle to the axis of bore than the angular relationship of said first projection.

7. A strapless ski pole grip as claimed in claim 6 in which said first projection extends outwardly and rearwardly from the inner side of the body adjacent to but below the top so as to fit over the hand between the thumb and the forefinger.

8. A strapless ski pole grip as claimed in claim 6 in which both projections are resilient, one extends forwardly of the body at a level to fit between the two middle fingers of the users hand and the other extends from the inner side of the body at a level to underlie the thumb.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,179,435 4/ 1965 Miller. 3,181,880 5/1965 Cameron et al. 3,290,049 12/ 1966 McDonald. 3,367,673 2/1968 Covini.

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,390,129 1/1965 France.

LEO FRIAGLIA, Primary Examiner M. L. SMITH, Assistant Examiner 

